Parks and Recreation Sites

Woodlawn Lake Park began as a subdivision development outside of San Antonio in 1887. The developers constructed a dam across a creek on the property to create a lake which soon became a resort area. The City of San Antonio acquired the property in 1918 and a citizen's group constructed restrooms and a playground and planted trees. A bond package in 1928 allowed for the construction of a pool and community center. In 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built two masonry bridges in the park. One still carries vehicular traffic into the park. The road over the second bridge was...

Woodminster Amphitheater and Cascade is an astonishing feature of Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland hills and one of the largest New Deal projects in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Woodminster lies just off Joaquin Miller Road above Highway 13.  The large complex was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1940. Initial work began in late 1935 after $128,000 in federal funding was approved for Woodminster stairway and amphiteather, as part of a million dollars WPA effort across the city of Oakland (Chronicle 1935).  Further funds and more work came with a larger disbursement of almost $700,000 for "a master...

Woodminster Amphitheater and Cascade is an astonishing feature of Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland hills and one of the largest New Deal projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Woodminster lies just off Joaquin Miller Road above Highway 13.  The large complex was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1940. Initial work began in late 1935 after $128,000 in federal funding was approved for Woodminster stairway and amphiteather, as part of a million dollars WPA effort across the city of Oakland (Chronicle 1935).  Further funds and more work came with a larger disbursement of almost $700,000 for "a master...

A historical marker erected in 2008 reads: "In 1937, the Southwestern Settlement and Development Company deeded land to Newton County. This property would become known as Woods Park, named for the company's surveyor, C.A. Woods. County residents used the park for recreation and soon the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program administered by the federal government, improved the park through a building project. Between 1939 and 1969, Newton High School used the park intermittently as an athletic field. Since 1980, the park has hosted the Newton County Fair and is now known as the Newton County Fair Grounds."

Construction on Woods Pond Beach was performed by CCC Co. 1124, located in Bridgton. According to the 1937 1st District CCC yearbook, "The camp has been very fortunate in having a number of ideal lunch ground sites located within easy working distance of camp. To date five of these have been constructed, and are being enthusiastically used by visitors and residents alike. The most rustic is located at Willis Brook, Bridgton. The shelters on this lunch ground are roofed with hand hewn shingles." CCC Yearbook

According to the index of WPA projects at the National Archives, WPA crews both helped improve the water system and constructed sidewalks in the Woodside Park subdivision.  

Woodson State Fishing Lake was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps near Toronto KS.

The WPA did extensive work in creating both the park's rock and rose gardens. According to the Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination, the "rock gardens in Woodward Park were laid initially by WPA laborers, although there is some evidence that the work was begun somewhat earlier by CWA workers."   (https://www.okhistory.org) "Constructed by the WPA using hand labor and teams of horses and a part of Woodward Park and the Tulsa Garden Center, the Municipal Rose Garden was inaugurated in 1934 and is a continuing project of Tulsa Parks and the Tulsa Garden Club. The first roses for the garden were planted in 1935."  ...

The Woolridge Wayside picnic area on Woolridge Road (Rt. 640) in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest "features some large black walnut trees and a spring at the bottom of the hill. The Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, built this shelter, as well as some of the cabins at nearby Holiday Lake 4-H Center."   (https://www.dof.virginia.gov)

By the time Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated president in 1933, the United States was suffering the worst economic collapse in its history. In order to stimulate the economy and lessen unemployment, Roosevelt started the Public Works Administration (PWA) and, eventually, the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA completed a wide variety of public works projects, ranging from building sidewalks to painting public murals. One of the most significant WPA projects in Newburyport was the World War Memorial Stadium built in 1938-39. Large portions of the stadium still exist, and it stands as an excellent example of the living New...

On June 19, 1939, the Department of Parks announced the opening of two playgrounds in Flushing Meadows Park, one along the Grand Central Parkway, just south of Horace Harding Boulevard. This is most likely what is now known as the World's Fair Playground. The 1939 press release explained that: "These two recreation areas are part of the plan for the ultimate development of the park after the Fair is over and will provide recreation facilities for the present children of the adjacent communities and for an increase in population as additional housing develops around the park. In the playground near Horace Harding...

One of two buildings constructed by the WPA in the African American community of Oak Grove, the gymnasium is "...an example of a simple but handsomely balanced design which reveals the skill of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers" (Story, 1990). The school principal from 1932-1935, Mr. Vines, received a grant to use WPA labor to construct a home economics cottage. Shortly after approval, the 1925 Rosenwald funded school in the community burned, and Mr. Vines sought a new administration/classroom building as well. L. W. Johnson, principal in 1935, worked with county superintendent Basil Munn to obtain a new gymnasium...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) operated a "bathing beach," including swimming instruction classes, at the southeast corner of Mirror Lake in Browns Mills, New Jersey.

This prominently displayed 1940 WPA marker stands in the grass at the edge of a small park in Alma, and most likely refers to WPA construction of the park itself. It does also border the town's high school, and could potentially refer to that project instead.

The Massachusetts Department of Forestry acquired "one thousand acres of land in Wrentham and Plainville" in 1934. CCC labor was utilized to "clean up the underbrush, make the woodroads into real roads, rebuild old dams which have been down for many years, stock the ponds with fish, and set out young pine trees."

WPA Project No. 265-5-3000, App. Date 10/26/36, $8,295, Total Funds $10,733, Average Employed 56, Sponsor: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, (Forest Service), "Improve and repair public camp grounds, including the construction of a masonry dam at the outlet of Wrights Lake, building of fire places, cement bases for stoves, water and sanitation development, clearing of debris and general camp improvements. All in the El Dorado National Forest in El Dorado County. Federal owned property. Permission of proper Federal authority has been obtained. It is certified that the funds provided are sufficient for the completion of the projects. To take the place...

"The road network that would become North Attleboro's World War I Memorial Park was cut by CCC crews."

Both the WPA and the CCC worked extensively in this park. "The Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) began its work at Wyalusing State Park (formerly Nelson Dewey State Park) in 1935. The work continued until 1937. In June of 1935, the men of CCC company 2672 set up tent barracks in what is now, the Outdoor Group Camp. The five tent barracks were home to 200 men. The tent barracks were soon replaced with wooden structures made up of barracks, officers quarters, mess hall, latrine, infirmary, recreation hall, and supply depot. The CCC developed and improved roads, trails, and to some extent, the buildings that...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) created Wyandotte County Lake by constructing the dam that impounds the lake. The surrounding park received numerous WPA-constructed buildings. Work lasted several years, from 1936 to 1942. Located in the Missouri basin, the dam was built to create jobs while at the same time providing a source of water for the community. The lake and surrounding area compose the Wyandotte County Lake Park.  It was funded jointly by the WPA and the Wyandotte County government. Several extant park buildings, such as the Davis Recreation Hall, were designed by the National Park Service and built by the Works...

Wyandotte County Lake Park's rustic boathouse is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The building features "architectural flourishes" such as the distinctive lamps.

The polygonal gazebo / overlook shelter at the Boy Scout Camp in Wyandotte County Lake Park’s is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. Currently only the base stonework of the structure remains.

The circumferential road encompassing Wyandotte County Lake features 20 culverts, believed to be among the many Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park.

Wyandotte County Lake Park's James P. Davis is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The structure was designed to complement its natural surroundings while resembling "lodges from the western national parks."

Wyandotte County Lake Park's historic lake house (and associated buildings, including a stable) is among the numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. While reputedly still extant, the location of the lake house facility is unknown to Living New Deal.

The North Entrance Lodge of Wyandotte County Lake Park was one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The National Parks Rustic-style building was designed to complement its natural surroundings. However, the building "has deteriorated to the point of ruins." It can still be found along the entrance road off N 93rd Street.

The circumferential road encompassing Wyandotte County Lake was surfaced by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The historic road surface is no longer visible.

The polygonal gazebo / overlook shelter located near Shelter 11 at Wyandotte County Lake Park’s is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. It is also known as the East Lookout Shelter.

Wyandotte County Lake Park's Shelter 3 is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The structure features a stone fireplace.

Wyandotte County Lake Park's gorgeous stone Shelter 7 is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. "Shelter 7 ... designed with stone bases and battered stone walls. This creates the visual effect of a structure that is anchored to its natural setting and that seems to almost have grown from it."

Wyandotte County Lake Park’s Shelter 9 is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The structure features a stone fireplace.

The South Entrance Lodge of Wyandotte County Lake Park is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The National Parks Rustic-style building was designed to complement its natural surroundings. It can still be found on the east side of N 91st Street, at the south entrance to the park.

The stone bridge by the park headquarters of Wyandotte County Lake Park is one of numerous Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures constructed in the park. The structure was designed to complement its natural surroundings.

The original 32-acre tract that established Yaquina Bay State Park was donated by the United States Department of Commerce, Lighthouse Service on September 1, 1934. Shortly after, Civilian Conservation Corps workers from CCC Camp Newport began development of the site. Located on the north shore of Yaquina Bay, with access to the ocean beach and views of the jetty, the park offered scenic amenities given its distinctive location as well as its historic landmark. The wooden Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, active from 1871 to 1874, served as a focal point for the new picnic area developed by CCC enrollees. They also laid-out...

Text on Historical Marker at Yellow jacket Stadium: "In 1939, work began to replace Rhome Field, where Cleburne high played home football games for twenty years. The works projects administration (WPA) provided most of the funding for the new $80,000 stadium built from concrete and rough cut Somervell county limestone. It opened in fall 1941, with ivy-covered stands, pilasters, seating for 3800, ticket windows, and dressing rooms. The stadium has hosted football games, other sports, and community events."

The Civilian Conservation Corp’s (CCC) work at Yellowstone National Park was extensive and lasted for the entirety of the CCC program, 1933-1942.  Projects included water and sewer line installation, landscaping, tree planting, the construction of fire lookouts and weather stations, firefighting and fire prevention, trail maintenance, museum assistance, snow removal, campground development, building amphitheatres, and the “Construction of buildings ranging from many of those at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch to the residences in Lower Mammoth, sheds and utility buildings throughout the park’s developed areas” (Manns, 1981). There were six main CCC camps in Yellowstone: Mammoth Camp (YNP-1), Canyon Camp (YNP-2), Lake...

Lake impounded by earth dam on west. Documentation (mapsand plans on file in forest office) clearly indecates the dam was planned in the 1930s, but there is none to indicate that it was eventually constructed during this period not noted in annual reports nor mentioned in Outdoor Indiana), and may have been complated latal. Plans and maps are drawn in 1938. Planned, at least, under the complice of the Resettlement of administation as part of the Blossoom Land Utilization Project. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

This log contraction, with stone chimney, was completed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938.  

Made by stone. 2 stone chimneys, stone floor. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938.

WPA work involved "Landscaping and planting various cut slopes and excavated areas which have been opened up during the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge"--Mooser, p. 84.

National Youth Administration (NYA) labor provided 23 picnic units, a new bridge of native rock and steel across the wading pool at Yettie Polk Park. The bridge at the south end of the park was widened, native rock sides constructed, and 225 feet of retaining wall built from the bridge to the creek bank. NYA also built the pavilion in the park, a pedestrian bridge, and small rock fences. The bridge is marked with a National Youth Administration plaque.